Methods and formulations using carbonic anhydrase and reaction compound combinations

Abstract

Disclosed is a formulation for the absorption of CO 2 , which comprises water, at least one CO 2 absorption compound and a carbonic anhydrase as an activator to enhance the absorption capacity of the CO 2 absorption compound. The invention also concerns the use of carbonic anhydrase, in a CO 2 absorption solution to increase the CO 2 absorption rate of such solution.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A formulation for CO 2  reactions comprising:
 (a) a solution comprising: 
 (i) water; and 
 (ii) at least one teritiary amino reaction compound having the formula R 3 N and enabling reaction (A):
   R 3 N+CO 2 +H 2 O HCO 3   − +R 3 NH +   (A); and
 
 
 (b) carbonic anhydrase to catalyze reaction (B):
   CO 2 +H 2 O HCO 3 +H +   (B).
 
 
 
     
     
       2. The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the tertiary amino reaction compound R 3 N comprises a tertiary alkanolamine. 
     
     
       3. The formulation of  claim 2 , wherein the tertiary alkanolamine is selected from triethanolamine (TEA) and N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA). 
     
     
       4. The formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the carbonic anhydrase is directly present in and flows with the solution, is immobilized on a support, or is immobilized on a packing. 
     
     
       5. A method for absorption of CO 2  comprising contacting gaseous CO 2  with an aqueous CO 2  absorption solution comprising at least one CO 2  absorption compound and carbonic anhydrase wherein the carbonic anhydrase enables at least a 80% increase in CO 2  transfer rate relative to the same aqueous CO 2  absorption solution without the carbonic anhydrase. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the carbonic anhydrase is directly present in and flows with the aqueous CO 2  absorption solution, is immobilized on a support, or is immobilized on a packing. 
     
     
       7. A method to enhance CO 2  absorption, comprising providing carbonic anhydrase within a packed bed reactor; contacting gaseous CO 2  with an aqueous CO 2  absorption solution comprising at least one CO 2  absorption compound within the packed bed reactor in the presence of the carbonic anhydrase; and operating the packed bed reactor to enable increased CO 2  transfer rate of at lest 80% relative to the same absorption solution without the carbonic anhydrase. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the carbonic anhydrase is directly present in and flows with the aqueous CO 2  absorption solution, is immobilized on a support, or is immobilized on packing of the packed bed reactor. 
     
     
       9. A formulation for absorption of CO 2  comprising water and at least one CO 2  absorption compound comprising a carbonate salt, the water and the at least one CO 2  absorption compound forming an alkaline carbonate salt based solution; and carbonic anhydrase to enhance the absorption of CO 2  into the alkaline carbonate salt based solution. 
     
     
       10. The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the carbonate salt comprises potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate. 
     
     
       11. The formulation of  claim 9 , wherein the carbonic anhydrase is directly present in and flows with the alkaline carbonate salt based solution, is immobilized on a support, or is immobilized on a packing. 
     
     
       12. A formulation for absorption of CO 2  comprising water, at least one aliphatic CO 2  absorption compound non-reactive directly with CO 2 , and carbonic anhydrase to enhance the absorption of the CO 2  into the water. 
     
     
       13. The formulation of  claim 12 , wherein the CO 2  absorption compound comprises an alkanolamine. 
     
     
       14. The formulation of  claim 13 , wherein the alkanolamine comprises a tertiary alkanolamine. 
     
     
       15. The formulation of  claim 12 , wherein the carbonic anhydrase is directly present in and flows with the water, is immobilized on a support, or is immobilized on a packing. 
     
     
       16. A formulation for catalysis of the following reaction:
   CO 2 +H 2 O HCO 3 +H +   
 comprising water, at least one reaction compound selected from carbonates, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, alkyleneamines, =alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols, dimethylether of polyethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, aminoethers, 2-substituted piperidine alcohols, piperazine, piperazine derivatives, ionic liquid, a liquid comprising a cation and an anion having a carboxylate function, and a combination thereof, the water and the at least one reaction compound forming a solution; and carbonic anhydrase to catalyze the reaction. 
 
     
     
       17. The formulation of  claim 16 , wherein the carbonic anhydrase is directly present in and flows with the solution, is immobilized on a support, or is immobilized on a packing. 
     
     
       18. A method for catalysis of the following reaction:
   CO 2 +H 2 O HCO 3 +H +   
 the method comprising providing a formulation comprising water; at least one reaction compound selected from carbonates, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, alkyleneamines, alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols, dimethylether of polyethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether, aminoethers, 2-substituted piperidine alcohols, piperazine, piperazine derivatives, ionic liquid, a liquid comprising a cation and an anion having a carboxylate function, and a combination thereof, the water and the at least one reaction compound forming a solution; and carbonic anhydrase to catalyze the reaction. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the carbonic anhydrase is directly present in and flows with the solution, is immobilized on a support, or is immobilized on a packing. 
     
     
       20. A formulation for catalysis of the following reaction:
   CO 2 +H 2 O HCO 3 +H +   
 comprising water, at least one reaction compound comprising a cation and an anion having a carboxylate function, the water and the at least one reaction compound forming a solution; and carbonic anhydrase to catalyze the reaction. 
 
     
     
       21. The formulation of  claim 20 , wherein the reaction compound comprising a cation and an anion having a carboxylate function is selected from bmim-acetate and hmim-acetate. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 20 , wherein the carbonic anhydrase is directly present in and flows with the solution, is immobilized on a support, or is immobilized on a packing.